Yeah, I kind of figured it was too early for it to be up. I'm just excited about it because I've been training with the various DBMA videos, as well as some others in various arts as much and as hard as I can for a while now and really want to get out there and do this for real. I've even been able to find a couple of guys that have been willing to train with me and do some sparring, though just with padded sticks so that kind of stinks. And even though I realize it's a very real possibility (read probability) that I'll get rolled pretty good, I'm strangely OK with that as long as I'm able to learn something from the experience. Either way though I'm going to be there this year. I don't care if I have to walk my happy butt to get there. Looking forward to meeting as many of you guys as I can in person.

Woof JSWorth - I recognize that excitement and burning enthusiasm - I know the feeling. All of us who have done a gathering have felt that. Keep that going strong and keep training and if you are there in September, I'd be happy to save a dance for you. I think it helps to have at least a match or two prearranged - helps with motivation in training and keeping it focused.

Woof all! I'm in the process of planning a trip to LA this summer for our first open gathering. The problem I'm having is that I have never really left Memphis, and I don't have any idea what I'm getting into. If anyone in the area could help me out with information about the area and hotels, that would be great.

Just want to make sure you folks got my "fighter form" for the open Gathering in Sept. Also, its kind of early, but what the hell, got 2 fights set up for the open (thanks Toki and Eric Taimanglo) and looking for 1 more (preferably single stick but will consider another knife fight).

JSWorth- I look forward to meeting you, the enthusiasm and upcoming chatter is something I SERIOUSLY felt last year (my 1st Gathering), apparently it is normal. I was determined to get there no matter what also, I hung a copy of my registration form next to my medicine cabinet where I would be reminded and motivated every day.

I got, as you would say, "rolled" last year, broken finger, broken nose (again) and major bruising ALL OVER, and it was one of the greatest days of my entire life! The pack mentality, respect, and comraderie is soo strong I could hardly believe it, even between newbies and the Dog's- afterwards we went to a restaurant and had a great time talking about how we got jacked up, or if you are Eric Tailmango, he jacked folks up! LOL. But did not boast about it. We were fortunate to have Guro Crafty Dog break bread with us and I was stoked, he has been one of my MA idols for almost 20 years.

I recommend setting up a couple fights in advance as Dog Rick said, it takes away a little of the stress so you are not wandering around the mat asking folks to dance. LOL

Poi-Dog is one of the nicest folks you will find and he often saves a dance or two for newbies, he is soo good he will push you to the limit but not break you (many Dog's fit this description) - Fighting with the Dog's seems a little safer because they are used to the adrenalin rush and they do not typically lose control.

I am looking to set up a dance or two on here, and really hope I can step out with some of the best and toughest out there- my goal is to make "Dog" so I want to test myself as much as possible. (Maybe this is just a death-wish, but at least if I got to fight Kaju-Dog, he can give me medical treatment after he jacks me up)

gibbyA-PosNote to self: Wait until NEXT year to fight C-Mongolian Dog again. I am still sore from last time! LOLNote to self II: During ground and pound do not remove your mask "to see better" as you will get jacked and bloody.

One should note that this is a Real Contact Stick Fighting event, no empty hand fighting permitted (unless you loose your weapon of course)

@ Saint Miki, don't worry about not having a challenging fight with the ladies. Between the 4 women who have already fought in at least 1 Gathering previously, I believe they are training very hard for this up-coming fight day since they've been through it before. One is trained by me, one trained by Salty Dog, and the other trained by Crafty on occassion. So no worries...

Imagine a place where you're in line to get a hot dog at Pinks, and they rip your motorcycle helmet off by cutting the straps. High desert, you can basically drive from north L.A. all the way to the Mexican border without ever leaving a city. It's a giant, sprawling mass of crime and Liberals. Bad conservatives are sent here as a form of purgatory. That basically sums it up.

Seriously speaking, if you want fabulous food, a diversity of culture, fabulous weather, you can ski today and go to the beach all in the same day; if you want entrepreneurs all around you,if you want excitement and opportunity, an international flavor, come to LA. If you are a redneck, hate other cultures and minorities, if you don't like the sun, beaches, or ski resorts, if you are narrow in your thinking, don't come here. It's all here; it's up to you. Whatever you make of it. And oh yeah, we have evil and deception too. And you can still vote Republican; but you will be in the minority.

When I first arrived in LA in 1982 I had several near misses on rear ended the car in front of me with my Harley. I could not understand why cars were stopping for no apparent reason. Then someone explained to me that in LA you have to stop for pedestrians.

mostly i'm just looking to find out which areas are the "bad neighborhoods," i'm still in the process of trying to book the hotel and whatnot. :3 We're planning on a five day trip, so i have to know what public transit is like. having only been on a trip outside of memphis once, i'm trying to cover all of my bases.

Hard to say due to the fact that L.A. is like a big checkerboard with good and bad neighborhoods everywhere. East L.A. and central and south central L.A. are definitely not good. Hollenbeck division is amongst the worst as are Pacoima, Sylmar, and Van Nuys in the Valley. A better way to go is just to maintain situational awareness, because odds are, nothing will happen where you're at, but you never know. Just enjoy yourself. L.A. has many very cool things about it. Anyone from NoHo can offer suggestions as can Huntington Beach and Crafty. Enjoy.

as the dates get closer, you will find that most travellers stay around the same area, there will be rental cars for carpooling( granted, they are not your chauffer) but most fighters are very helpful and friendly. You should have any difficulty getting around. Look for other travellers and ask where they are staying. I belive that even though the Gathering is in North Hollywood, people still stay near Hermosa Beach or the LAX airport.

Sensei Toki (C-Mighty Dog) hit it on the head. Most fighters are more than happy to help IN ANY WAY. I live in San Diego and my fiance and I go up the night before and stay at a pretty inexpensive hotel about 10-15 minutes from Gokor's gym- Would be happy to pick you up, shuttle you around and anything else you might need! This offer is for any fighters coming to town.

One should note that this is a Real Contact Stick Fighting event, no empty hand fighting permitted (unless you loose your weapon of course)

This statement was in regards to whether someone would be interested in an empty hand fight.

I'm confused about the statement I quoted as I'm also interested in empty hand fights at Dog Brothers events. Why would empty hand fighting not be permitted? If knives, belts, bokken, garden hoses, etc... are viable options at a "Real Contact Stick Fighting event" then surely empty hand should be.

I've also seen video clips of people fighting empty hand vs one stick. I may have missed the memo but this is leaving me pretty confused.

Anyone else have an opinion on this?

I'm also unclear as to who has the authority to "permit" something at a gathering, from my understanding you could fight anyone, with anything you wanted, as long as they agreed to it. Are there certain people, such as C-Mighty Dog that decide things like this for everyone else?

C-MD is simply repeating the established understanding. As I have explained on various occasions, there are plenty of venues one can go for MMA type fights; if that's what you want to do then do that. However, at a DB Gathering fighters happen to become unarmed, then the fight continues anyway.

I wasn't aware of this established understanding until now, and unfortunately didn't catch one of your explanations earlier.

As it turns out I train in a predominately MMA focused gym and therefore have the opportunity to practice empty hand figting there. The reason why I was interested in pursuing this at a Gathering was to further explore empty hand fighting under a less restrictive rule set. My experience with fighting at Dog Brothers events has been vastly different than fighting within the club I train at. I was interested in how my empty hand fighting my differ in this different venue but will of course abide by the established understanding in the future.

May be winding things down in Mexico for awhile. Sent over mybreg for the open but my name isn't on the list. Should I fax over another PK?Greetings to all.I'll be at training tomorrow as well in NoHo.

Logged

Do not fear going anywhere, nor doing anything. You will die where you are supposed to.

How does everyone prepare for the gathering? Personally, I've been working more cardio and strength than usual, and trying to put an edge on my ground work... though in reality, that's all coming with taking my normal training to the next level. Do you more seasoned fellas have a specific ritual in the month or two leading up to a gathering?

my name is darrin coe and I've been training in arnis for 15 years or so. I'm strongly considering coming to the gathering this year. At least I've started more intense training just in case. anyway, just wanted to say that it will be an honor and a privilege to face off with anyone at the gathering. I consider every opponent I face as my teacher, so the more teachers the better